System of remote radiocontrol



April 25, 1933. L. T. ROBERTON SYSTEM OF REMOTE RADIOCONTROL Filed 001:.25, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Lloyd 7710mm Faber/0n B ATTORNEY 1April 25, 1933. L, T. ROBERTON SYSTEM OF REMOTE RADIOCONTROL Filed Oct.25, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIC:1.3

FIG. 5

RECEIVER FIG. 7

INVENTOR M M w m L 0 U; my

ATTORN EY April 25, 1933. 1., T. ROBERTON 1,905,503

SYSTEM OF REMOTE RADIOCONTROL Filed Oct. 25, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.9

INVENTOR {Jayd 7710mm Roberfon flan/pg Qa omm ATTOR N EY Patented Apr.25, 1933 UNITED STATES PAIENT OFFICE LLOYD THOMAS ROBERTON, OFMILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN SYSTEM OF REMOTE BADIOCONTROL Application filedOctober 25, 1929. Serial No. 402,389.

that it can be employed for any desired distance, and the set may evenbe in the room from which it is to be operated.

There are some devices, termed remote control devices, which will cut inthe radio set, through a series of steps, to certain predeterminedstations, but should a station get off its wave length, or thecondensers become unbalanced, the operator or listener will either failto get the station, or not get it clearly, or even get interference froman adjoining station.

My invention has for its principal object, to provide a system ofcontrol, by the use of which the operator may, from a remote position,tune in any station over the entire range of the broadcast band.

My invention has for its further object, visual indicators at thecontrol, (which, as stated, may be either portable, or located in a Wallplate), so that the exact kilocycle or wave length at which theinstrument is 3G operated (or the station which has been tuned in), maybe seen immediately by the operator, without his having to wait forstation announcement to learn if he has tuned in on the desired station.

In practice, it may in some cases be found desirable to substitute adirectory of station call letters, rather than, or in additionto, akilocyole or wave length scale.

My means for accomplishing the foregoing objects may be more readilyunderstood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which are heretoannexed and are a part of this specification, in which Fig. 1 is a topor plan view of my controlling mechanism in position on the front of thecabinet of a radio receiving set, only a fragmentary portion of thecabinet being shown, as obviously it forms no part of my 50 invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the mechanism;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same;

Fig. l is a perspective view of the port- 5 able type of control;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the same; Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram for thesystem; Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram for turning on the set, with a pilotlight to show that the set is on, and a relay switch in the line,-

the latter being optional, but practice having shown that it isdesirable;

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram of an indicator circuit, operated byalternating current by means of inductive coupling, instead ofresistance control as shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a mechanical form of interconnecting receiver, with theindicator at the control and actuating the same;

Fig. 10 is a system of interconnecting the radio receiver with theindicator at the control, and actuating the same by means of radiowaves;

Fig. 11 is a system of interconnecting the radio receiver with theindicator at the control, and actuating the same by means ofelectro-magnetic induction;

Fig. 12 is a system of interconnecting the radio receiver with theindicator at the control, and actuating the same by means ofelectro-static induction;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan'view of my improved switch; and

Fig. 14 is an end elevation of the same.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entiredescription.

As shown in the drawings, the operating mechanism is mounted upon aplate 1, which is secured in any suitable or convenient manner to theradio set (not shown). As illustrated, I have shown only a fragmentaryportion 2 of the cabinet, as obviously the set forms no part of myinvention, which is adaptable, as will appear from the hereinaftercontained description, to any set, either with or without a cabinet.

Adjacent one end of the plate 1 is mounted an electric motor 3, upon theshaft of which isfixedly secured a worm 4, which meshes with a wormwheel 5, mounted upon a shaft 6. On the shaft 6 I mount a pinion 7 whichmeshes with a spur gear wheel 8, which is secured to a shaft 9, therotation of which actuates the tuning condenser (not shown).

As clearly seen in Fig. 6, the motor 3 is connected to a suitable sourceof electric current supply. As shown, it is a battery 10; but this isshown merely for illustrative purposes, any convenient source of currentsupplya battery or a generatormay be employed, using either alternatingor direct current. lVires 11 and 12 lead to the contacts of a switch 13,which is preferably of the form shown in my copending application,Serial No. 393,879, a standard cut-out 18 being provided to prevent theindicating arrow or pointer 29 on the scale 15 from going too far ineither direction, should the operator inadvertently hold the switch contacts closed for too long a time. This switch 13 is mounted in mycontrol 14.

A shown, the control 14 is portable, and comprises a casin having aportion of its tront wall an inclined plane, for more convenient readingof the kilocycle or wave length scale 15, or a directory of the stationcall letters, as the case may be. In the control casing 14 is alsomounted a switch 16, tor turning the set on and oil, the wiring diagramfor this switch 16 being clearly seen in Fig. 7, in which I have shown apilot. light 17, which is so located as to serve the dual purpose ofinforming the operator that the current for operating the set has beenturned on, and also of illuminating the scale 15.

Upon the other end of the plate 1 is mounted a second electric motor 19,the shaft 20 of which has fixedly secured thereto a worm 21, whichmeshes with a worm wheel 22, which is carried by a shaft 23 whichactuates the volume control rheostat (not shown). An automatic stop 24,of standard onstruction, similar to the cut-out 18, is convenientlylocated to prevent the motor 19 from turning the rheostat beyondpredetermined points, either up or down.

The left-hand portion of Fig. 6 shows the wiring diagram for the motor19. and the right-hand portion thereof shows the wiring diagram for themotor 3. V

In Fig. 9 I have shown, in diagrammatic form, a mechanical connector 25,which may be used when the control 14 s located in the. same room withthe set. This may consist of a Bowden wire, or any desired form offlexible mechanical transmission.

In Figs. 10 to 12, I have shown various ypes of interconnecting thecontrol 1 1 and the operating mechanism on the plate 1, as I wish itclearly understood that any desired type may be utilized, as preferred.

Although I have shown a portable control 14, it will be apparent, topersons skilled in the art, that it may be mounted in the wall of theroom as a wall plate. \Vhen used as a portable control, I find itconvenient to form the rear wall 26 concave, to rest on the arm of achair, or on the operators knee, without danger of falling off. Astandard plug 27 provided. to enable the operator to plug into asuitably located base-board or other socket (not shown). This permitsthe portable control H to be carried from room to room in the house, asdesired.

In Figs. 13 and 14 I show my improved switch, which comprises a baseplate 31, formed of suitable insulating material. This base 31 has posts32, 33, 34 and 35, which are rigidly mounted thereon. These posts areprovided with clips 36, 37, 38 and 39, of standard construction, towhich may be attached the wires of the various circuits.

The switch handle is mounted on the base plate 31, midway between posts32 and 33, and consists of a post 40, which is tiltable and rotatable,as clearly seen in the drawings, being loosely mounted in an opening 11in the base plate 31. A coil spring 42 is mounted on the post 40, andbears against a washer 13 which rests on the base plate 31, and asimilar 'asher 44 which engages a shoulder 15 formed on the post 10. Theresult of this construction is that the spring 12 holds the post 40normally in a vertical position, while it may be tilted from side toside when desired. A knob 46 is secured to the top of the post 40 forits convenient manipulation. Contact points 47 and 48, of suitablematerial, are mounted in the sides of the post 40, in position toregister and contact with contact points 49 and 50 mounted in screws 51and 52, which are adjustably mounted in posts 32 and 33, lock nuts beingproy ided to secure the screws 51 and in adjusted position. An arm ismounted in the post 40, and extends outwardly therefrom. This arm 53 hascontact points 54 and mounted thereon, which are in register withcontact points 56 and 57 mounted in screws 58 and 59, which are mountedin posts 34 and 35. These points are adapted to make contact when thearm 53 is swung to the right or left respectively. The screws 58 and 59are adjustable in posts 34 and 35, lock nuts 60 and 61 being provided tosecure the adjustment when made. The post 40 is connected by an electricconductor to a suitable source of electric current, such as the battery10, this wire being the third or common wire, so called.

Mounted upon the posts 32 and 33 is a piece of insulator material 62,which is provided with a slot 63 which permits the post 10 to tilt. Theends of the insulation 62 have lateral extensions 64 and 65, to whichare seemed the ends of coil springs 66. The other ends of these springs66 are secured to the ends 67 and 68 o? a rod which is mounted in thepost 40. These springs 66 serve to hold the arm 53 normally out ofcontact with the contact points 56 and 57.

In operating the switch, assuming it is desired to close the circuitthrough post 33, the operator grasps the knob 46 and tilts the post 40until the contact point 48 contacts point 50 in the screw 52 in post 33,thus closing this circuit. Now, if it is desirable to close the circuitthrough either post 3 1- or 35, all that is necessary for the operatorto do is to rotate the knob 46 (while still holding the circuit closedthrough points 48 and 50) until the contact point on the arm 53 contactseither the contact point 56 or 57 as is desired, and the circuit througheither post 34 or 35 will be closed, as the case may be. i

It will be apparent from the foregoing, that upon releasing the knob 46the coil springs 66 will automatically return and hold the post 40 inthe open position, and all the circuits will be open. It is also plainthat the knob 46 can be rotated to close the circuit through either post34 or 35 without closing either circuit through posts 32 and. 33, orthat after the circuit through either post 34 or 35 is completed thenthe post 40 may be tilted either way and a circuit completed througheither post 32 or 33.

The operation of my system of remote radio control is as follows:

The operator first closes the switch 16, which turns on the set througha relay 28, and at the same time lights the pilot light 17. As soon asthe tubes (not shown) have warmed up, the operation turns the knob 46 ofthe switch 13 in the direction he wishes the tuning condenser to bemoved, either up or down. The movement of the switch 13 in one directioncompletes the circuit, and the current will rotate the electric motor 3,which will, through the worm and gear drive, rotate the tuning condensershaft 9, moving it upwardly. Should the operator wish the rotation ofthe condenser shaft 9 to be in the opposite direction, he moves theswitch 13 to close the other contact, when the motor 3 will rotate inthe downward diection. Having obtained the desired station, the operatorthen moves the switch 13 to close one of the contacts leading to theother motor 19. This completes the circuit, and the current will causethe motor 19 to rotate in the direction desired, either to de 29 on thewave length or kilocycle scale 15 on the control 14, select any stationand then tune it in perfectly, regardless of the condition of thecondensers in the set, or whether the broadcasting station has loweredor raised its wave length.

This minute regulation also permits the operator to successfully tuneout any interference from other stations, as a finer adjustment can beobtained than under manual operation.

Although I have shown and described a specific form of apparatus for anembodiment of my invention, I desire it understood that it is notintended to be in any manner a limitation thereupon, as numerous changesin construction may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. The only limitations I place thereon are such as appear inthe hereinafter appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I regard as new, and. desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. The combination, with a radio receiving set having a tuning condenserand a volume control rheostat, of electrically actuated means to operatethe tuning condenser, electrically actuated means to operate the volumecontrol rheostat, a control therefor, comprising a switch connected toconvey current to the set, and means actuated by a single mechanism toclose any one or more desired circuits individually or simultaneously,whereby either or both the rheostat control and tuning control will bemoved in any desired direction oreither one may be moved in any desireddirection and the other in the opposite direction or both may be movedin the same direction.

2. The combination, with a radio receiving set having a tuning condenserand a volume control rheostat, of electrically actuated means to operatethe tuning condenser in either direction, electrically actuated means tooperate the volume control rheostat in either direction, a controltherefor, comprising manually operable means to mo tivate said set andmeans actuated by a single mechanism to close any one or more desiredcircuits individually or simultaneousl', whereby either or both therheostat control and tuning control will be moved in any desireddirection or either one may be moved in any desired direction and theother in the opposite direction, or both may be moved in the samedirection.

3. The combination, with a radio receiving set, having a tuningcondenser and a volume control rheostat, of electrically actuated meansto operate the tuning condenser, electrically actuated means to operatethe volume control rheestat, a control therefor, comprisin a switchconnected to convey current to the set, a single switch'operable to anyone of a plurality of positions to selectively close the electriccircuits to either or to both of said electrically actuated means, andmeans actuated by said single SlVltClll to close any one or more desiredcircuits individually or simultaneously, whereby either or both therheostat control and tuning control will be moved in any desireddirection or either one may be moved in any desired direction and theother in the opposite direction or both may be moved in the samedirection.

4. The combination, with a radio receiving set having a tuning condenserand a volume control rheostat, of electrically actuated means to operatethe tuning condenser in either direction, electrically actuated means tooperate the volume control rheostat in either direction, a controltherefor, comprising a switch connected to convey cur cut to the set, asingle switch operable to any one of a plurality of positions toselectively close one or two of the electric circuits to saidelectrically actuated means, and means actuated by said single switch toclose any one or more desired circuits individually or simultaneously,whereby either or both the rheostat control and tuning control will bemoved in any desired direction or either one may be moved in any desireddirection and the other in the opposite direction or both may be movedin the same direction.

5. The combination, with a radio receiving set having a tuning condenserand a volnine control rheostat, of an electric motor,

means to connect said motor to operate the tuning condenser, a secondelectric motor, means to connect said second motor to operate the volumecontrol rheostat, electric conductors connected to said set and motorsand to a suitable source of electric current, a control therefor,comprising a switch connected to close a circuit which conveys currentto said set, and means actuated by a 5; single mechanism to close anyone or more desired circuits individually or simultane ously, wherebyeither or both the rheostat control and tuning control will be moved inany desired direction or either one may I be moved in any desireddirection and the other in the opposite direction or both may be movedin the same direction.

6. The combination, with a radio receiving set having a tuning condenserand a volume control rheostat, of an electric motor having a shaft, aworm on said motor shaft, a worm wheel in mesh with said worm, a shafton which said worm wheel is mounted, a pinion on said shaft, a gearwheel on the ituning condenser shaft which meshes with said pinion, asecond electric motor having a shaft, a worm on the shaft of said secondmotor, a worm Wheel on the shaft of the volume control rheostat in meshwith said last named worm, electric conductors connected to said set andmotors and to a suitable source of electric current, a control therefor,comprising a switch connected to close a circuit which conveys currenttosaid set, and means actuated by a single mechanism to close any one ormore desired circuits individually or simultaneously, whereby either orboth the rheostat control and tuning control will be moved in anydesired direction or either one may be moved in any desired directionand the other in the opposite direction or both may be moved in the samedirection.

7. The combination, with a radio receiving set having a tuning condenserand a volume control rheostat, of an electric motor having a shaft, aworm on said motor shaft, a worm wheel in mesh with said worm, a shafton which said worm wheel is mounted, a pinion on said shaft, a gearwheel on the tuning condenser shaft which meshes with said pinion, asecond electric motor having a shaft, a worm 011 the shaft of saidsecond motor, a worm wheel on the shaft of the volume control rheostat,electric conductors connected to said set and motors and to a suitablesource of electric current, a control therefor, comprising a switchconnected to close a circuit which conveys current to said set, asii'igle switch operable to any one of a plurality of positions toselectively close the electric circuits to either or to both of saidmotors, and means actuated by said single switch to close any one ormore desired circuits individually or simultaneously, whereby either orboth the rheostat control and tuning control will be moved in anydesired direction or either one may be moved in any desired directionand the other in the opposite direction or both may be moved in the samedirection.

8. The combination, with a radio receiving set having a tuning condenserand a volume control rheostat, of an electric motor having a shaft, aworm on said motor shaft, a worm wheel in mesh with said worm, a shafton which said worm wheel is mounted, a pinion on said shaft, a gearwheel on the tuning condenser shaft which meshes with said pinion, asecond electric motor having a shaft, a worm on the shaft of said secondmotor, a worm wheel on the shaft of the volume control rheostat whichmeshes with said last named worm, electric conductors connected to saidset and motors and to a suitable source of electric current, a controltherefor, comprising a switch connected to close a circuit to conveycurrent to said set, a single switch operable to any one of a pluralityof positions to selectively close the electric circuits to either or toboth of said motors, and means actuated by said single switch to closeany one or more desired circuits individually or simultaneously, wherebyeither or both the rheostat control and tuning control will be moved inany desired direction or either one may be moved in any desireddirection and the other in the opposite direction or both may be movedin the same direction.

9. The combination, with a radio receiving set having a tuning condenserand a volume control rheostat, of an electric motor having a shaft, aworm on said motor shaft, a worm wheel in mesh with said worm, a shafton which said worm wheel is mounted, a pinion on said shaft, a gearwheel on the tuning condenser shaft which meshes with said pinion, asecond electric motor having a shaft, a worm on the shaft of said secondmotor, a worm wheel on the shaft of the volume control rheostat in meshwith said last named worm, electric conductors connected to said set andmotors and to a suitable source of electric current, a control therefor,comprising a switch connected to close a circuit to convey current tosaid set, a signal light in said circuit, and means actuated by a singlemechanism to close any one or more desired circuits individually orsimultaneously, whereby either or both the rheostat control and tuningcontrol will be moved in any desired direction or either one may bemoved in any desired direction and the other in the opposite directionor both may be moved in the same direction.

10. The combination, with a ra lio receiving set having a tuningcondenser and a volume control rheostat, of an electric motor having ashaft, a worm on the motor shaft, a worm wheel in mesh with said worm, ashaft on which said worm wheel is mounted, a pinion on said shaft, agear wheel on the tuning condenser shaft which meshes with said pinion,a second electric motor having a shaft, a worm on the shaft of saidsecond motor, a worm wheel on the shaft of the volume control rheostatin mesh with said last mentioned worm, electric conductors connected tosaid set and motors and to a suitable source of electric current; acontrol therefor, comprising a casing having a portion of its top wallinclined, its bottom wall being concave, said casing containing a switchconnected to close a circuit to convey current to said set a singleswitch operable to any one of a plurality of positions to se lectivelyclose the electric circuits to either or to both of said motors, andmeans actuated by said single switch to close any one or more desiredcircuits individually or simultaneously, whereby either or both therheostat control and tuning control will be moved in any desireddirection or either one may be moved in any desired direction and theother in the opposite direction or both may be moved in the samedirection.

11. The combination, with a radio receiving set having a tuningcondenser and a volume control rheostat, of electrically actuated meansto operate the tuning condenser,

electrically actuated means to operate the volume control rheostat, acontrol therefor, comprising a casing, having a portion of its top wallinclined, a scale in said inclined portion, said casing containing aswitch connected to close a circuit to convey current to the set, asignal light in said circuit, arranged to illuminate said scale, andmeans actuated by a single mechanism to close any one or more desiredcircuits individually or simultaneously, whereby either or both therheostat control and tuning control will be moved in any desireddirection or either one may be moved in any desired direction and theother in the opposite direction or both may be moved in the samedirection.

I 12. The combination, with a radio receiving set having a tuningcondenser and a volume control rheostat, of electrically actuated meansto operate the tuning condenser, electrically actuated means to operatethe volume control rheostat, a control therefor, comprising a switchconnected to convey current to the set, a single switch operable to anyone of a plurality of positions to selec tively close the electriccircuits to either or to both of said electrically actuated means, andmeans actuated by said single switch to close any one or more desiredcircuits individually or simultaneously, whereby either or both therheostat control and tuning control will be moved in any desireddirection or either one may be moved in any desired direction and theother in the opposite direction or both may be moved in the samedirection.

13. The combination, with a radio receiving set having a tuningcondenser and a volume control rheostat, of electrically actuated meansto operate the tuning condenserin either direction, electricallyactuated means to operate the volume control rheostat in eitherdirection, a control therefor, comprising manually operable means tomotivate said set and a single switch operable to any one of a pluralityof positions to selectively close either or both circuits to saidelectrically actuated means, and means actuated by said single switch toclose any one or more desired circuits individually or simultaneously,whereby either or both the rheostat control and tuning control will bemoved in any desired direction or either one may be moved in any desireddirection and the other incthe opposite direction or both may be movedin the same direction.

LLOYD THOMAS ROBERTON.

